Sidi Ould Tah: New AfDB President | Global Development
- Sidi Ould Tah, a Mauritanian economist and former head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea), has been elected president of the African development Bank...
- Tah garnered 76% of the vote after three rounds, surpassing Samuel Maimbo of Zambia, a World Bank vice president, who secured 20%.
- The AfDB, a 60-year-old development finance institution, includes 54 African countries among its shareholders, along with G7 nations such as the U.S.
Sidi Ould Tah has been elected as the new president of the African Advancement Bank (AfDB), succeeding Akinwumi Adesina. Tah secured a decisive 76% of the vote, marking a significant shift in leadership for the institution. He is set to take office in September and will focus on bolstering infrastructure development across Africa. The afdb, with a vast capital base, supports crucial projects and is financed by international partners. Facing potential funding challenges, the bank may explore new strategies under Tah’s leadership. He plans to increase collaboration with Gulf states. News Directory 3 reports on this pivotal moment.Discover what’s next as Tah unveils his strategic vision for the AfDB.
Sidi Ould Tah Elected African Development Bank President
Updated May 30, 2025
Sidi Ould Tah, a Mauritanian economist and former head of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea), has been elected president of the African development Bank (AfDB). The election, which took place in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, concluded the annual meeting of the continent’s major multilateral lender.
Tah garnered 76% of the vote after three rounds, surpassing Samuel Maimbo of Zambia, a World Bank vice president, who secured 20%. Amadou Hott, the former Senegalese economy minister, received 3.5% of the votes. He will succeed Akinwumi Adesina in September, who is completing his second five-year term.
The AfDB, a 60-year-old development finance institution, includes 54 African countries among its shareholders, along with G7 nations such as the U.S. and japan. Nigeria holds the largest single share. The African Development Bank is responsible for supporting important infrastructure development using resources from the African Development Fund (ADF), which is replenished by international partners every three years. The next funding round is scheduled for November.
Facing potential funding cuts from the U.S.,the African Development Bank,with a current capital of $318 billion,may need to explore innovative strategies to maintain its operations and seek new donors. Adesina has previously commented on the bank’s capital growth.
Tah has expressed his intention to increase collaboration with Gulf states, focusing on infrastructure development across the continent. This focus on infrastructure development is expected to be a key aspect of his tenure as president.
What’s next
As the new president, Sidi Ould Tah is expected to outline his strategic vision for the African Development Bank, focusing on sustainable development and enhanced partnerships to drive economic growth across Africa.